Tag: Dietary reform

In the 19th century, a popular minister and health reformer named Sylvester Graham developed a set of dietary and lifestyle beliefs that would become known as the Graham cracker theory. This theory posited that a bland, high-fiber, vegetarian diet—including his signature unsweetened cracker—could help temper lustful urges and curb masturbation.

Invented in 1829 by Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham, the original graham cracker was a bland, unsweetened health food, a stark contrast to the sugary snack we know today. Far from a modern diet trend, the original 'Graham System' was a strict vegetarian regimen with a surprising purpose. So, what is the graham cracker diet, and how did it evolve?